Rapid Cooling Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A rapid cooling apparatus. The rapid cooling apparatus includes a base that supports a cooling chamber and a reservoir compartment. The cooling chamber has a floor, one or more sidewalls, and a ceiling that form an tenor volume that can hold beverages and other containers. A door is affixed to the cooling chamber for providing access to the interior volume of the cooling chamber. A fluid reservoir is positioned within the reservoir compartment and is configured to dispense a fluid cooling agent into the cooling chamber via one or more nozzles. The nozzles are disposed within the cooling chamber and directed at beverages and other containers positioned within the cooling chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to rapid cooling apparatuses. More specifically, the present invention provides a rapid cooling apparatus that dispenses a cooling agent, such as compressed carbon dioxide, within a cooling chamber through one or more nozzles.

Many individuals prefer to consume certain foods and beverages, such as wine, beer, and soda, at a relatively cold temperature. The consumption of these chilled beverages is especially desired during the warmer seasons. Conventional ways of cooling foods and beverages typically involves storage within a refrigerator or an ice box. However, these devices and methods have several drawbacks. For instance, it is not economical to maintain a large inventory of foods and beverages within the refrigerator or ice box, where space is often limited. Further foods and beverages placed within these devices may require several hours to reach a cold temperature that is desirable.

Other technologies that rapidly chill beverages may rely on ice or chilled water, or a combination thereof. However, submerging foods, even those in containers, risks leaking onto the food rendering it inedible. Further, residue from the ice bath can contaminate beverages. Additionally, the ice bath requires ready access to ice and water, containers for holding the ice and water, and towels for drying excessive amounts of water that accumulate on the food or beverage container. The submerging of beverages may deteriorate the labels of many beverage, especially those that utilize an adhesive for bonding the label to the beverage container.

In light of the devices in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing food and beverage cooling devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of beverage cooling devices now present in the art, the present invention provides a new rapid cooling apparatus wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when cooling food or beverage from a room temperature to a relatively cool temperature of between thirty (30) degrees and forty (40) degrees Fahrenheit.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved rapid cooling apparatus with a fluid reservoir having a fluid cooling agent therein that is dispensed within the cooling chamber, wherein the fluid reservoir is removable and replaceable with a substantially similar one.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rapid cooling apparatus that can cool a beverage without diluting the beverage.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rapid cooling apparatus that includes an adjustable and rotatable nozzle and tray which facilitate the cooling of a beverage within the cooling chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rapid cooling apparatus that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cooling chamber with the door in an open position.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the control circuit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings depict like or similar elements of the rapid cooling apparatus. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiments will be discusses as used for rapidly cooling beverage bottles and containers. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front view of one embodiment of the present invention and a perspective view of the cooling chamber with the door in an o position, respectively. The rapid cooling apparatus 11 provides an appliance that can cool food and beverage containers within a short period of time, such as thirty seconds to a couple of minutes. The rapid cooling apparatus 11 comprises a base 13, a cooling chamber 14, and a reservoir compartment 15. In the shown embodiments, the reservoir compartment 15 is positioned above the cooling chamber 14, and the base 13 supports the cooling chamber 14 and the reservoir compartment 15. The cooling chamber 14 includes a floor 16, one or more sidewalls 17, and a ceiling 18, defining an interior volume. The interior volume is configured to store food and beverage containers therein. The cooling chamber 14 includes an open end to provide access to the interior volume thereof. A door 20 is pivotally affixed to one of the sidewalls and removably covers the open end so as to control access to the interior volume of the cooling chamber 14. The base 13 includes an interface 31 with one or more buttons 35 for inputting commands to the rapid cooling apparatus 11. The interface 31 includes a digital display for displaying time, temperature of the cooling chamber 14, position of the door 20 (open or closed), and the like.

A fluid reservoir 21 is removably disposed within the reservoir compartment wherein the fluid reservoir 21 is configured to store a cooling agent, such as compressed carbon dioxide and the like. The fluid reservoir 21 is replaceable with a substantially similar fluid reservoir, such that an emptied first fluid reservoir is replaced with a hill second fluid reservoir. In one embodiment, the fluid reservoir 21 is removable via removing a section of the reservoir compartment 15.

One or more nozzles 22 are disposed within the cooling chamber 14 and are it fluid communication with the fluid reservoir 21 via a conduit 23. The one or more nozzles 22 are configured to dispense a cooling agent contained in the fluid reservoir 21 into the interior volume of the cooling chamber 14. The conduit 23 includes a first end 24 and an opposing second end 25, wherein the first end 24 is operably connected to the fluid reservoir 21 and the second end 25 is operably connected to the nozzle 22. In use, the release of the cooling agent into the cooling chamber 14 causes the temperature thereof to decrease. In one embodiment, the temperature decrease to between 32 and negative 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

The one or more nozzles 22 are configured to discharge the cooling agent from the fluid reservoir 21 in a desired direction within the cooling chamber 14. The nozzle comprises a plurality of apertures, wherein the apertures allow the cooling agent to pass therethrough. In one embodiment, (shown in FIG. 1) the nozzle is a dome shape and extends from the ceiling o the cooling chamber 14. In an alternate embodiment (shown in FIG. 2) the nozzle 22 is an upright cylinder having a plurality of in linear arrangement. However, in alternative embodiments, the nozzle 22 and aperture arrangement may vary. In an alternate embodiment, a second nozzle is disposed on an opposing Side of the floor 16. In one embodiment, an actuator, disposed on the base 13 and operably connected to the nozzle 22, adjusts the rotational direction of each of the one or more nozzles 22 in order to allow the cooling agent to be dispersed over a larger area of the interior volume.

In the shown embodiments, the floor 16 supports beverages 26 atop a rotatable tray 25 configured to revolve the beverages 26 along a circular or non-circular path. In this way, each of the beverages 26 receive exposure to the cooling agent for a more uniform cooling process. The tray 25 may be rotated automatically via an actuator rotating mechanism or may be manually rotated. A vent 27 is disposed on the cooling chamber 14 to control the pressure differences within the cooling chamber 14. In FIG. 2, the vent 27 is disposed on the door 20 of the cooling chamber 14.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of one embodiment of the control circuit of the present invention. The rapid cooling apparatus 11 comprises a valve 33 that is configured to control the pressure and dispersion velocity of cooling agent being dispensed by the one or more nozzles 22. In one embodiment, the valve 33 is disposed within the conduit, between the cooling chamber and the reservoir compartment of FIG. 1. The valve 33 is configured to open and allow more cooling agent to pass through the conduit when activated. The valve is adapted to close and allow less cooling agent to pass through the conduit when deactivated.

The rapid cooling apparatus 11 includes a sensor 34 operably connected to the valve 33, wherein the sensor 34 is configured to determine the temperature of the interior volume of the cooling chamber 14, an open state or a closed state of the door, and the fluid pressure of the valve 33. An interface 31 is operably connected to a processor 32 and the interface 31 is configured to receive input commands via an actuatable button. The processor 32 is operably connected to the valve 33 and sensor 34, such that the processor 32 controls the operation of the rapid cooling apparatus 11.

The interface 31 provides for a selection and control of a variety of settings. In one use, a user inputs commands via the interface 31 that is executed by the processor 32. The input commands relate to setting predetermined time, temperature, and other settings of the rapid cooling apparatus 11. The number of preset settings may include functions for the intensity of the cooling, size of beverage container, desired temperature, any combination of these and/or any other possible desired outcomes for cooling containers of various masses and sizes at various temperatures and speeds. The rapid cooling apparatus 11 then cools the beverage containers within the cooling chamber 14.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present inventions.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the enact construction and operation shown and descried, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A rapid cooling apparatus comprising: a cooling chamber including a floor, one or more sidewalk, and a ceiling, defining an interior volume; a door affixed to the cooling chamber for providing access to the interior volume of the cooling chamber; a fluid reservoir removably disposed within a reservoir compartment one or more nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir via a conduit; wherein the one or more nozzles are disposed within the cooling chamber; wherein one or more nozzles are configured to dispense a fluid cooling agent contained in the fluid reservoir into the interior volume of the cooling chamber. 2) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base including an interface with one or more buttons for inputting commands thereto. 3) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is configured to contain compressed carbon dioxide. 4) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floor comprises a rotatable tray operably connected to a rotating mechanism. 5) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles further comprises an actuator configured to adjust the rotational direction of each of the one or more nozzles. 6) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises one or more vents configured to control pressure within the cooling chamber. 7) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles comprise an upright cylinder having a plurality of apertures. 8) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the door is pivotally affixed to the cooling chamber via a hinge. 9) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein a valve is configured to control the pressure and dispersion velocity of the fluid cooling agent being dispensed by the one or more nozzles. 10) The rapid cooling apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a sensor operably connected to the valve, wherein the sensor is configured to determine the temperature of the interior volume of the cooling chamber, an open state or a closed state of the door, and the fluid pressure of the valve. 